Faith and family lead five Idaho men to diaconate

Mountain Home, Meridian, Moscow, Rupert and Boise to be graced with new deacons

Deacon candidate Allen Darrow and wife Lorna.

By Philip A. Janquart

ICR Assistant Editor

“It has been such an amazing blessing to journey with these wonderful men and their spouses and see the grace of God at work in their lives,” said Deacon Salvador Carranza, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.

Bishop Peter F. Christensen will ordain five men to the permanent diaconate on Friday, June 6 at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. The ordination marks the culmination of years of prayer, discernment and formation for the candidates and their families, as the men prepare to serve the Church and their communities in a new and profound way.

Those to be ordained are Allen Darrow from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Mountain Home, Tim Perrigot from St. Nicholas Parish in Rupert, Curtis Chatterton from Holy Apostles Parish in Meridian, Eric Meyer from St. Augustine Parish in Moscow, and Jason Jaszkowiak from St. Mary’s Parish in Boise.

Ordinations are commonly held at midday on Saturdays, but this year the liturgy will be held on Friday evening at 5 p.m. with the annual Deacon Couples Retreat following on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 at Our Lady of the Rosary in Boise. The newly ordained deacons will be able to attend the retreat.

“We take this opportunity to extend a humble invitation to all our brother deacons and their spouses to attend the ordinations on Friday and the annual retreat,” said Deacon Carranza.

ALLEN DARROW

Born in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania, Allen Darrow’s earliest memories include attending weekly church services. By the time he was 15, however, he began working his first job, after school and on weekends, which put a stop to church attendance.

“I thought I could continue practicing my faith just through prayer,” Allen explained. “But as time passed, my prayer life began to dwindle until it was nonexistent.”

Years later, he met his wife Lorna at a Popeye’s restaurant on Mountain Home Air Force Base, where he was stationed. Though she was exactly the person he was looking for, the story would not unfold until several months later, when an interior voice kept telling him to contact her. After work on Sept. 2, 2011, he responded.

“I made the phone call that changed my life forever,” said the 24-year Air Force veteran. “We went on our first date on Sept. 4. On Sept. 8, I deployed to Africa for two months.”

When he returned, Lorna met him at the base and later asked if he would attend church with her.

“I responded, ‘I’d love to,’” Allen said. “I attended Mass for the first time that weekend. The love of God I had been missing, and my faith journey, came flooding back over me.”

The two married on Sept. 22, 2012, and Allen began his journey through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

In search of a Confirmation name, he discovered his birthday, August 10, was also the feast day of St. Lawrence, one of seven deacons of Rome under Pope Sixtus II. He chose St. Lawrence, a martyr and patron saint of deacons, as his patron.

Over the next several years, after serving as a Eucharistic minister and lector, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Allen and Lorna discussed and prayed about his possible diaconate formation.

“On a Sunday in March of 2020, I asked Father Germán Osorio for information on the diaconate. He said, ‘I got you, bro!’ The very next day, I got a call from the Diocese of Boise. Father had submitted a letter of recommendation for me,” Allen said. 

He added, “If there is one Gospel verse that I try every day to live in my life, it must be Matthew 25:40: ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ There is no single moment in our lives when our conversion is complete. Conversion happens over the entire span of our lives until death. I want to spend my life knowing, loving, and serving God!”

From left, son-in-law Drew Vanderzanden, Katie (Perrigot) Vanderzanden, wife Keri Perrigot, deacon candidate Tim Perrigot, daughter-in-law Kayla Perrigot and son John Perrigot. (Courtesy Photo/Tim Perrigot)

TIM PERRIGOT

“My life has always revolved around faith, family, and football – always in that order,” Tim said, explaining his life’s priorities. “I have felt called by God to become a deacon, a calling that began in my childhood after reading a Marvel comic book about Pope John Paul II. That conversation with God has continued throughout my life, most recently during a trip to Montana. Now, as I prepare for retirement, I look forward to a new chapter in my journey of faith.”

Tim was born in Janesville, Wis., but moved west with his family at the age of 3. He grew up in Durango, Colo., where he regularly attended Mass at St. Columba Parish.

“My father ensured we arrived an hour early every Sunday,” he said. “Those early mornings were rewarded with family breakfasts, forging a lasting connection between faith and family. Throughout high school and college, I remained active in the Church, serving as an altar boy and continuing my religious education.”

Faith was always deeply ingrained in his family life. Tim’s mother instilled in him the importance of prayer and mandated that he and his siblings say the rosary as a form of meaningful penance for missing Mass.

“My grandfather prayed the rosary while driving, a habit that influenced me to carry a pocket rosary throughout my life,” Tim said. “On stressful days, it serves as a reminder of what truly matters and an ever-present call to prayer.”

Tim met his wife, Keri, in college and were married at Holy Apostles in Colorado Springs.

“I accepted my first teaching job in Rupert. We expected to return to Colorado, but 30 years later – two children and nine dogs – we remain in Idaho, deeply involved in our community and church,” he said. “Our children attended St. Nicholas Catholic School, and our daughter Katie later graduated from Carroll College in Helena, Montana.”

Tim’s coaching career spanned two decades as the head football coach at Minico High School.

“Early struggles eventually led to success, culminating in a state championship appearance during my final season, with my son, John, as the quarterback. That year, something special happened – our team started holding voluntary prayer sessions after practice, something no team I had coached before had done. I could feel Christ’s presence in the locker room, guiding us.”

Tim currently serves as the superintendent of Wendell Schools, but will retire following the 2025 school year after 33 years in public education. He said he plans to embrace his next calling as a deacon.

“I see this as a humbling opportunity to serve the Catholic Church, believing that the experiences and skills I have developed over my lifetime have prepared me for this role,” he said. “As I have often told my players and children, ‘It’s go time!’ And now, it’s go time for my next chapter of faith and service.”

From left, Sydney, Corinne, deacon candidate Curtis, Jenny, Davis, Carson and Lauren Chatterton. (Courtesy photo/Curtis Chatterton)

CURTIS CHATTERTON

Curtis and his wife, Jenny, who met as students at Boise State University, will celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary this summer. They have five children: Sydney, 18; Lauren, 16; Davis, 9; Corinne (aka Coco), 6; and Carson, 3.

He grew up in the Catholic Church, attending St. Anthony School in Pocatello. Curtis then moved to Weiser, attending Weiser Middle School and Weiser High School in the small farming community where he was an altar server at St. Agnes parish. 

“Jenny grew up in the LDS faith, but we agreed to attend the Catholic Church together and raise our children in the Catholic faith,” Curtis explained. “After 14 years, Jenny converted to the Catholic faith and was baptized and Confirmed on her birthday, April 4, 2015. Jenny and I have been attending Holy Apostles in Meridian since we moved to Meridian in 2011 and have made this our home. We love Meridian and Holy Apostles!” 

Jenny quit working outside the home after Sydney and Lauren were born and is currently homeschooling Davis, Corinne and Carson.

Curtis has been employed by Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) for 20 years and works from its corporate offices as the director of environmental operations. The large manufacturing company makes corrugated boxes like the ones used by Amazon. Curtis ensures compliance, such as environmental permitting and wastewater treatment, at PCA’s 90 box plants nationwide.

“There have been several events that have assured me this is what God wants me to do, especially when I had my own doubts,” he said. “I am now at a point where I feel confident that I am where God wants me to be, and I am excited to be ordained in June, God willing. While I don’t know exactly how God wants to use me in the future, that is part of the excitement. His plan is always much better than my ideas. I am just excited to be a servant, hoping to lead others to God and our ultimate home in heaven.” 

From left, Regan Monnin, Jordan Monnin, Heather Meyer, Emilia Meyer, deacon candidate Eric Meyer, Madelynn Meyer and Elizabeth Meyer. (Courtesy Photo/Eric Meyer)

ERIC MEYER

Eric and his wife, Heather, celebrated 28 years of marriage in January, and live in the Moscow area. Heather was raised Lutheran, and Eric is a cradle Catholic. 

Their faith journey began early in their marriage, with Heather completing the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Eric has spent his professional career as a marketing and sales professional in the pharmaceutical business. His career path took the family through multiple relocations across the country.

“All told, our four girls are grown and productive,” he said. “Regan and her husband Jordan live and work in Ohio. Madelynn works in finance in Chicago. Emilia is a new pilot and student at the University of Idaho, and Elizabeth is completing high school.”

Eric said the discernment that led to the diaconate took ten years, but the process enabled him and Heather to deepen in the call to serve.

From left, deacon candidate Jason Jaszkowiak, son Trenton, wife Pamila, baby Joy and daughter Lucy. (Courtesy photo/Jason Jaszkowiak)

JASON JASZKOWIAK

Jason and his wife Pamila have been married for 11 years and have three children: Trenton, 10, Lucy, 8, and Joy, 5 months.

Jason has spent most of his time as a stay-at-home father, but he recently began substitute teaching at St. Mary’s School and Bishop Kelly High School. Pamila, whom Jason met in college, is an engineer at Idaho Power.

“I’ve always been drawn toward the Church,” Jason said. “Watching my dad, who would bring me to Church every weekend, showed me the true importance of the Mass and Christ and His Church. I would take note whenever he would bow his head, make the sign of the cross, or (though he will vehemently deny this) shed tears.”

Inspired by his father’s example and willingness to serve, Jason trained as an altar server in the third grade.

“I helped out almost every weekend through college,” he said. “I helped out as an altar server and trained new servers. I also trained to serve as a Eucharistic minister. My wife, having gone to Mass with me, made a deeper commitment as well and converted to Catholicism. After a few years, she met some people in the Dominican Order and became a professed lay member, even serving on their council.”

At some point, Jason and Pamela began discussing Jason becoming a deacon.

“It was something I’d had in the back of my mind for a while, but hadn’t fully explored the possibility. So, after more conversing, I met with Deacon Barros-Bailey to see what it would take to start this journey.  His answers (and follow-up questions) were short and to the point, but they really made me take a hard look at my own life and what the Church meant to me.”

Jason discerned for a year and, through the “tenacity” of Deacon Bob, finally answered the call.

“My wife and I were in a good place in our relationship, my children were growing up (much too fast), and everything I could think of as a roadblock just vanished, or became less of a stumbling block. It felt as though God was clearing the path for me,” he said.

“During my time in formation, I had the opportunity to meet some of the most incredible men I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. The men and their wives in my cohort are some of the best examples of holy men and women I could ask for. When times got tough, I’ve looked up to them and viewed them as good examples of what I want to strive for. I can only hope to be that for someone else.”

Jason said Deacon Salvador Carranza took over the formation program after Deacon Bob retired.

“Deacon Sal has done an excellent job of making us all feel comfortable and secure in our formation,” he said. “I’ve had several deep conversations with him, and I’ve never come away empty-handed. One of my favorite quotes that he gave me was after the Mass where I was installed as an acolyte, and I was making a comment about our new baby crying, and he said, ‘Let her cry for those who can’t.’”

Jason added: “As we approach the end of this formation, I realize that this isn’t an end—there’s no graduation here. In fact, this whole process is just to get us to the starting line. We learn how to live together as a family, then as a community, then as a Church.

Through all the learning, we become more deeply attuned with what God has called us to be: servants.”

Deacon Carranza requested that everyone keep the deacons on their prayer lists as June 7 approaches.

“Thank you ever so much for your continued prayers and support,” he said. “May our Lord continue to fill your homes and your hearts with an abundance of His peace.

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